The Seventh-day Adventists are one of the few Christian churches that follow the example of Christ in this sacred act of humility. The church provides a basin with water and a towel for members to wash the feet of fellow members prior to partaking of the bread and the wine(Grape Juice) Christ blood.
Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. This was an act of humilty. The Master of all becomes the Servant to all. He stoops down and acts the part of a servant. He even washed the dirty feet of Judas. He knew that Judas had betrayed him, but he still reached out to his betrayer in a most loving way. Jesus is our example in humilty.
Why do so many of our Christian churches omit the Ordinance of humilty during their Communion Service? The act itself symbolizes cleansing. Cleansing from pride, selfishness, prejudice, immorality and all known and unknown sins.
God's grace is sufficient. The Ordinance of humility is a most beautiful service. Christ is our example in this sacred act
2007-10-13 14:56:10 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thanks Beth, Shirley and others who shared their thoughts on this service. I agree Beth, that Adventists are not alone in the footwashing service. I think that it is important to share with other Christians some of the beliefs of Adventists. Some Christians say the wrong things about Adventists because of their lack of exposure to the church. I am thoughtfully attempting to share a little more light in this regard.
Take care friends.
2007-10-14 02:14:44 · update #1
Did you know that it has been recommended in many SDA churches to now omit this? I disagree. This is a very humbling thing to do for one another...it is very "personal".....which I am sure is the reason it is necessary. To serve each other is what this is about....take care of each other. SDA's do not have the corner market on service to others. We could learn much from other Christians.
Hi Gilbert....don't forget January =)
2007-10-13 17:28:30 · answer #1 · answered by bethy4jesus 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a former members of the Worldwide Church of God, we practiced the footwashing once every year during the New Testament Passover service that commemorated the night of Christ's betrayal ( and hence His death). The symbols of the bread and wine replaced the symbol of the Passover Lamb which Christ fulfilled. After we left the WCG over doctrinal issues (they became a typical protestant chruch, Sunday/ xmas/ easter/, we disagreed), my wife and I continued the footwashing as part of our annual Passover service for a few years.
Then I started studying that particular aspect of Christ's last evening with His disciples more closely. We take the bread and the wine as symbols of the sacrifice Christ made for us, but we no longer do the footwashing. My personal studies have shown me that it was done as an example for us but is not part of the ordinance for the Passover service.
A close study will show you why Christ performed the footwashing and reading the accounts in all the gospels about that evening will show you that the disciples did not get His point.
The only "washing" ordinance that I am absolutely sure is required of Christians is baptism.
I have not organized this study in any type of format or anything, but if you truly wish to know more email me and I will try to elaborate more.
2007-10-13 17:26:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that was his reason totally. I think his real reason was to show absolutly that a leader must be willing to do anything He or She expects the followers to do. Contrary to popular management styles, a true leader will do whatever it takes to get the job done. I believe that this was a model for leaders. Example: My husband is a professional chef. He does the dishes, puts the huge orders away, and all of those other things that he could dismiss as being below him. Why does he do these things? So his staff understands that he will do whatever it takes to get a job done. In return, he as a dedicated, yet rag-tag group of high school kids who listen to what he says, respect his authority, and will do anything for him. They know he will do anything for them. I mean, really, would a Christian follow a saviour who had refused to wash his disciples feet? Is that a model for the leaders of today's Christian church in any way? When I see people like Pat Robertson, I ask myself if he would wash the feet of his maid or his janitor or the woman or man who cleans the TBN parking lot. Think about it.
2016-05-22 07:33:26 · answer #3 · answered by anjanette 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a number of churches, including my own, that observe footwashing. However, we do it once a year, at Maundy Thursday, which is the memorial of Christ instituting the Holy Eucharist (Last Supper). There are other local churches (such as some--but certainly not all--of the Baptist churches) that do it a bit more often, but many choose not to observe it at all. That is their choice. Footwashing was not, to my knowledge (or to my church's knowledge), ever commanded as a sacrament.
2007-10-13 15:04:06 · answer #4 · answered by solarius 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have noticed this too, and I dont understand it. But even when it is done, I have seen so much there that isnt of God. WHen ppl seperate to wash each others feet, and you hear soe saying how they wont wash that ones feet or that one, becuase..................................... of whatever words they use to fill in that blank, they miss the point. Only the wealthy want to do others from their same backfround. They miss the point. we are to humble ourslves before GOd. The point of the footwashing is to realize that we are all to humble and love each other the same.
But, I agree, I would love it if churches did do this sitll and teach the message correctly that goes with it.
Bless you....
2007-10-14 01:42:14 · answer #5 · answered by full gospel shirley 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because that wasn't part of what He said to do in remembrance of Him.....(To my knowledge) But I don't really see anything wrong with doing it I guess.
Communion isn't something that always has to be taken in church. Not when he commanded us to do that in remembrance of him. We can do that more often than once a month.
You are right about humility. It is literally the most beautiful thing in the world. I totally agree.
2007-10-15 02:39:14 · answer #6 · answered by BLI 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My church has a footwashing service annually. It's part of the observance of Maundy Thursday.
2007-10-13 15:20:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I never knew churches do that.
So many churches are so worried about acts. What they can show. What they can do to show God they deserve heaven.
its like being ungreatful for what Jesus has done.
There is no thing you can ever do to earn eternal life. nothing!
2007-10-13 15:07:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well I think we should have humility like that in our daily lives whenever we have the opportunity and not necessarily at a set time like at communion.
2007-10-13 16:24:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It was an act He done but the reason He did it was to show that we should come humbley before others,,we all are the same,but yet men and women treat people differently..
2007-10-13 15:01:35 · answer #10 · answered by I give you the Glory Father ! 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋